The campaign to Protect the Owyhee is urging President Biden to establish a national monument based on the broadly supported proposal developed by Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and co-sponsored by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley.

Since 2019, Senator Wyden has worked with local ranchers, conservation organizations, Tribal nations, sporting groups, recreationists, and others to develop a legislative proposal to protect the Owyhee Canyonlands.

This bill, the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act, protects more than 1.1 million acres of the Owyhee Canyonlands as wilderness while promoting improved land management and important priorities for the Burns Paiute Tribe and local ranchers.

Despite passing out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support, the legislation’s future in Congress remains unknown. President Biden can ensure the Owyhee is protected by designating an Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument if Congress fails to act. 

To understand the proposed areas for conservation as a national monument, view a general overview map and more detailed maps below and click here to read more about how a monument designation would protect the Owyhee Canyonlands.